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2023 Ephraim Fyr Bal Schedule

Although the temperature has warmed and visitors have returned to Door County, you could say summer doesn’t officially begin on the peninsula until Ephraim lights the night with its Fyr Bal festival, this year taking place June 16-17. 

The highlight of the festival is the crowning of the Fyr Bal chieftain – an Ephraim resident or business owner whom the public votes into the prestigious role in honor of the individual’s community service. 

The selected chieftain is kept secret. Spectators who find a spot along Eagle Harbor will catch the honoree gliding into view across the water on a “Viking ship,” with an escort of young Vikings. 

Once ashore, the newly crowned chieftain lights a bonfire, and a fireworks display over the harbor closes the festivities. The chieftain receives a medallion made by a local artist, who, this year, is Gary Chaudoir. 

While Fyr Bal marks the official start of summer, it’s also a joyous celebration of Ephraim’s Scandinavian heritage. 

Know before You Go

Highway 42 will be closed in downtown Ephraim on Saturday, June 17, 7:30 am – 10:30 pm, to provide a safe environment for all festival attendees. The closure begins at Moravia Street on the south side and Cedar Street on the north side. Complimentary transportation is provided, 8:30 am – 10:30 pm, from the north parking location at Green Gables and the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Door County, and from the south parking location at the Ephraim-Gibraltar Airport.

Alternate driving routes are provided, but Fyr Bal offers a great opportunity to experience all that local businesses – which remain open – have to offer.

The Ephraim Business Council (EBC) will have a tent set up by the Old Post Office Restaurant to sell merchandise, including a special throwback design; raffle tickets; and cherry pie in a cup. The artisan market and food vendors will be open 10 am – 9 pm, and beer-ticket sales take place 10:30 am – 8:30 pm.

If you want to step away from the bustling downtown scene for a bit, head to the Red Putter in northern Ephraim, 10 am – 10 pm, for the Purple Putter Benefit, when the mini-golf course donates $1 per game to Big Brothers Big Sisters, as well as $1 for every hole-in-one.

Fyr Bal 2023 Schedule

FRIDAY, JUNE 16

2 pm, 4 pm and 7 pm: Musical presentation by Colin & Friends, Ephraim Moravian Church 

SATURDAY, JUNE 17

8-9 am: Hatha yoga, Anderson Dock

8-10 am: Pancake breakfast, Ephraim Village Hall

8:30 am – 2 pm: Used-book sale, Ephraim Library

9 am: Fur Bal pet parade. Meet on the lawn of the Edgewater Resort at 8:30 am; the competition will be held in front of the village hall.

9:15-10 am: Tone & Flow, Anderson Dock

10 am – 4 pm: Open Door Bird Sanctuary, Harborside Park

10 am: Wilson’s ice-cream-eating contest

10 am – 5 pm: Wooden-shoe carving demonstrations, Harborside Park gazebo

11 am: Witches paddle from the public beach to South Shore Pier. Supply your own equipment.

11:30 am: Cake walk, Village Hall

11:30 am – 1 pm: Music by D’Arez on the main stage, Village Hall

11:30 am – 1:30 pm: Make your own Fyr Bal medallion, Village Hall

12-2 pm: Make your own flower crown, Village Hall

12-2 pm: Princesses Anna and Elsa on the lawn of the Ephraim Shores Resort

12-3 pm: Children’s T-shirt decorating on the lawn of the Ephraim Shores Resort

12-7 pm: Glassblowing demonstrations by Burnt Bluff Stone & Glass, Harborside Park

1-2 pm: Children’s musician Randy Peterson on the lawn of the Ephraim Shores Resort

1-3 pm: Make paper flowers and enjoy lavender lemonade and homemade treats, Eagle Harbor Inn

1:30-3:30 pm: Balloon animals, strolling magician and caricaturist on the lawn of the Ephraim Shores Resort

3:30-4 pm: Cherry-pie-eating contest (register at the EBC tent) on the main stage, Village Hall

4-7 pm: Cornhole tournament (register at the EBC tent), Edgewater Resort 

4-7 pm: Viking ax throwing, next to Wilson’s

4-7:30 pm: Wine garden, Pearl Wine Cottage

5-8 pm: Music by Chicago Mule on the jetty across from Village Hall

8 pm: Grand-prize raffle drawing and trophy ceremony on the main stage, Village Hall

8:15 pm: Scandinavian dancers and singers on the main stage, Village Hall

8:30 pm: 57th Chieftain Ceremony and bonfire lighting

9 pm: Fire performers on the jetty across from Village Hall9:30 pm: Fireworks over Eagle Harbor

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